Amazing African Ancestry Women of MUSD, Portrait #4: Dr. Hanna Asrat, Principal at Burnett Elementary

Name: Dr. Hanna Asrat
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Occupation: Principal

Years with MUSD: 7 years

How/Why is Black History Month important to celebrate throughout our district? Black History Month provides an opening - a place to start working on ensuring our history tells the whole story. It gives us an opportunity to tell stories we don't often tell in public schools, to reflect on the leaders/inventors/artists/activists we know, and the ones we don't. What it is not is a finish line. It should never be the only time we talk about Black leaders or an excuse to only study Black people and Black stories in February. 

Who is a famous female leader of African Ancestry that inspires you and why? Oh there are so many! Michelle Obama is an obvious but amazing choice. I think I'll go with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum. Hearing her speak for the first time was so inspiring. It was amazing to see a woman who looks like me speaking at a great university about the educational and equity topics I'm passionate about. I think it might have been one of the first times I considered working towards my own doctorate!

What are some of your keys to success for younger black women? You don't owe anyone anything. You have value and worth just as you are and your ideas and thoughts are worth sharing. Your impostor syndrome is lying to you. You don't have to be exceptional to be awesome. Find your people and lean on them hard.

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